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Social Emotional Books for Preschool Children
37
items As an early childhood teacher I understand how important social emotional learning is to a child's development. I also understand that social emotional learning encompasses a wide range of ideas — acknowledging emotions, building friendships, learnin...
Sections
7
Relationships
Kindness
Frustration/Anger
Empathy
Courage
Sadness
Relationships
A story on friendship — a big topic in preschool. I notice that at this preschool age children tend to say things like “you're not my friend anymore!” when a minor disagreement or argument occurs between two otherwise good friends. This book is a goo...
I'm Sorry
A very cute book that teaches children what it means to put themselves in someone else's shoes. Penelope kept eating her classmates but once she experienced what it felt like to be someone else's snack she never ate a classmate again! and was able to...
We Don't Eat Our Classmates: A Penelope Rex Book
Great book that can be used for various lessons. I think it is a great book that can open the floor to discussion about respecting everybody's individuality. For younger children, it can be a lesson on the reality that everybody is different and will...
Those Shoes
This book serves as a great example of problem solving and kindness among a group of friends.
Can I Play Too?
In this book you go through a rollercoaster of emotions but in the end there is a valuable lesson on prioritizing the friendship and not the new toy.
I Love My New Toy!
The title gives it away haha! but a great book for the classroom if you are noticing students are having a difficult time sharing.
Llama Llama Time to Share
A beautiful book that shows children one way we can cope with a mistake — an open mind and joy. Beatrice has a reputation of never making a mistake and one day she makes a mistake in front of everyone! and instead of crying or getting upset she handl...
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
A funny and sweet book about friendship and sharing. It also touches on this idea of thinking of others especially those we care about and their likes/dislikes and special things we can do for them.
Should I Share My Ice Cream?
Kindness
Great book for exploring what it means to be kind and what it can look like.
Be Kind
A sweet book that teaches children they are not responsible for other people's bad choices.
The Good Egg
Helpful book for children who interrupt often. It acknowledges that children have important words to share but that we have to wait our turn in class, with friends, with family, etc.
My Mouth Is A Volcano: Picture Book
A story about patience and being kind to your grown ups!
Llama Llama Red Pajama
Cute and quirky book with various examples of people, qualities, and conditions and how it's all okay! Showing that acceptance is one way we can be kind.
It's Okay To Be Different
This book is a good opportunity to ask the class if the giraffe was treated with kindness when he first tried to dance in front of all the other animals.
Giraffes Can't Dance
A darling and sweet book about love and family. A sweet read.
The Kissing Hand
This book is great because not only does it show the unkind behaviors it also shows the kind/healthy alternatives.
How Do Dinosaurs Show Good Manners?
Similar to the other dinosaur book in that it shows examples of what it means to be unkind vs. kind.
How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Be Kind?
This book is good for creating conversation around what being unkind can look like and what it means to change — all while recognizing that it is sometimes it might be hard but it is important to try.
The Bad Seed
Frustration/Anger
Great and simple book that showcases healthy and kind ways children can use their hands instead of hitting when angry or upset.
Hands Are Not for Hitting (Board Book)
This book offers some great techniques that can help children ground themselves after experiencing some big feelings. I love that it encourages children to look, listen, and feel their environment as a way to regulate their emotions.
When Sophie Gets Angry Really, Really Angry…
A silly story about misplacing something you really care about and thinking you've lost it forever! Also a great example of retracing your steps!
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
A book about feeling fussy. Valuable lesson about working WITH someone and not against them when you're in a less than desirable situation.
Llama Llama Mad at Mama
Great book about acknowledging your feelings and being honest with yourself and allowing yourself to feel whatever it is you feel.
Grumpy Monkey
A book that acknowledges that waiting is not easy! but sometimes worth it :)
Waiting Is Not Easy!
A tale of jealousy and how it drove mr. caper to make some bad choices. It has a *sweet* ending!
The Great Lollipop Caper
Empathy
This book touches on not feeling understood and well…feeling hurt. Sophie creates an artwork and a peer makes a comment that hurts her feelings. The teacher steps in and guides discussion in a way that helps the students understand that everyone make...
When Sophie's Feelings Are Really, Really Hurt
A sweet book about welcoming everyone! And being a thoughtful and caring friend.
Strictly No Elephants
A story about a lonely firefly's search for community and connection. I find it to be a helpful read for many reasons but especially empathy as children begin to develop relationships.
The Very Lonely Firefly
A sweet story about coming together and taking tender care of those you care about.
Bear Feels Sick
A sweet story about inclusion and friendship. What extending a friendly/welcoming hand can look like.
The Invisible Boy
Courage
A wonderful book about finding courage and what it means to be brave (doing something you're afraid of doing even when it feels scary).
Jabari Jumps
Although this book touches on other emotions like frustrations I always viewed the most important lesson being the power of “yet” and this idea of trying and practicing I think takes a level of courage/bravery.
When Sophie Thinks She Can't...
This is one of those books that contains many messages (kindness, sharing, community building, etc.) but I think it's also important to mention that it takes a level of courage to reflect and change ones actions the same way the rainbow fish did.
The Rainbow Fish
Sadness
Beautiful book about missing someone you really care about. It is a great book to read to a child that is soon to begin school or a new program.
Llama Llama Misses Mama
An absolute favorite of mine! It is a great book for a child that is trying to process grief or sadness or the loss of something that really mattered to them. I love that with each animal that comes along and tries to “help” Taylor is symbolic of a d...
The Rabbit Listened
Worry
playful and colorful book about sharing your worries with those you trust.
Fish and Crab
A sweet story that shows us that when we feel worried it might be helpful to have a friend by our side.
Wemberly Worried